AZ won against Ajax and PSV in the first half of the season, finishing four points behind leaders Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, finishing the cup tournament and spending the winter as group leader in the Conference League.
Coach Max Huiberts can only be satisfied at the training camp in Valencia, but it is not yet clear whether coach Pascal Jansen’s contract will be extended.
“We do an evaluation every six months and we just did it with Pascal. There are things that could have been better, but there are also many things that went well,” says Huiberts. “We will discuss how we see the future in the coming weeks. In peace. There is no mention of a diploma yet.”
Jansen admits that the bullet has not yet passed through the church. “I talk to management often but there is no agreement yet. So it can go both ways.”
Huiberts says AZ is on the right track in terms of expectations and goals. Huiberts does not specifically comment on these goals. After getting off to a good start in the competition, AZ was recognized as a championship contender. The technical manager doesn’t want to go that far. “I’m not going to say we’re going to be champions here.”
“In any case, there is still enough to play. We will increase the pressure,” said Huiberts.
No outgoing transfers this winter
Continuing its fight with Vitesse on January 7th, AZ will probably have a stronger selection in the second half of the season than before the winter break. Huiberts thinks no one will go. Jesper Karlsson is also not taking part. “Nothing is happening right now.”
Huiberts, 52, says he also regularly reads that AZ players are linked to other clubs. “Someone who still has a lot to play wouldn’t want to lose their better players. I don’t expect anything to happen in terms of departures in winter. But write.”
winter acquisition
Alkmaarder has a winter addition: American midfielder Djordje Mihailović. He was signed from CF Montréal for 6m euros in the summer but joined this winter. The six-time national player finished the season at his former club. “It felt weird,” she says.
According to Huiberts, Mihailović is a creative player who adapts well. Mihailović points out that the level and intensity are higher than in America. “I am making progress. The more games I play, the more comfortable I will feel.”
You can watch the interviews with Djordje Mihailović and goalkeeper Hobie Verhulst below.
Another player brought in during the summer, Riechedly Bazoer, was not brisk in the first half of the season. The former Ajax talent, who made six appearances for Orange, only started once at base.
Huiberts acknowledges that Bazoer has left some things behind and some things need improvement. When asked if Bazoer still has an A-Z future, Huiberts reacts a little nervously. “We knew his situation and we knew there was still work to be done in the summer. He plays in a different position than he has in recent years and has good midfielders as opponents.”
The coach doesn’t recognize Bazoer’s image of a kid that can be annoying. “I haven’t seen it yet. If you ask the players and the coach, they will say the same thing. He needed to try but he’s getting back to his old level. I’m confident.”
Source: NOS
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